News Release

Statement of Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis on US House of Representatives Unemployment Insurance extension vote

WASHINGTON  U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives vote on the extension of Unemployment Insurance:

"It is unfortunate that today, exactly one week before Thanksgiving, we saw opposition in Congress stop an extension of vital unemployment benefits that could negatively affect millions of American families.

"Instead of celebrating with their loved ones next week, these individuals  who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own  will have to spend Thanksgiving wondering if they will be without the vital lifeline of unemployment insurance.

"If Congress does not take action, between this winter and spring, 4 million unemployed workers will lose their benefits. This is unacceptable.

"Just this week, we released a multi-year study showing that the Unemployment Insurance program had an even more positive impact on the economy than in previous recessions.

"Among the key findings were that for every dollar spent on UI, economic activity increases by two dollars, and during each quarter of the recent recession, UI benefits kept an average of 1.6 million Americans on the job.

"Extending these UI benefits is good for the economy, it's good for our workers and their families, and it's the right thing to do for our country.

"I am very hopeful that Congress will pass this important extension when they return later this month. Millions of American families are counting on them and this extension deserves bipartisan support.

"I will not rest until the law is followed by every employer and until each worker is treated and compensated in accordance with what the law requires."